Cities around the world are rapidly transitioning the built environment to conserve finite resources and decarbonise. What does that look like, locally and nationally?

Our 2024 Designing Cities Symposium welcomes special guest Ross Harding, founder of Finding Infinity. Ross’s project A New Normal is a radical vision to shift cities from energy users to energy producers. He’s working with architects, developers, businesses, governments and communities to make it happen.

A New Normal now has over $200 million worth of live projects across Melbourne and has launched in Sydney. Each project delivers profitable examples with the private sector, engages with the general public in a colourful way, and is specifically designed to inform much needed policy

Join us for an insightful afternoon that will explore A New Normal. See case studies that demonstrate design, creativity and technology coming together, here and now, to create the healthy, sustainable cities of the future.

The event will preview ‘A New Normal Perth’ by leading WA architects – see the program description below. A lively panel discussion will explore the barriers and levers to creating a new normal in our cities and towns. Panel members include State Government Architect Emma Williamson, Sirona Urban founder and managing director Matthew McNeilly, City of Vincent CEO David MacLennan and Committee for Perth CEO Paula Rogers.

This event is for built environment professionals, developers and decision-makers, as well as anyone with an interest in making cities better for people and the planet.

Architects can earn 2 formal CPD points – please see the questionnaire here.

Multi-event discount

A 15% discount is available when you also book to attend the morning event East Village at Knutsford: a climate positive development tour (also 2 informal CPD points). Together the two events make a valuable day of professional learning and development.

Concession tickets available:

Students and concession card holders can use code FDWCONCESSION for 10% off tickets.

1.00 pm – Registration
Registration / viewing of exhibition ‘Liam Young: Planetary Transition’

1.30pm – 2.15pm (45 minutes)
Session 1 / Ross Harding / Introducing A New Normal
What is the vision for A New Normal? Ross Harding will introduce the thinking and science behind Finding Infinity’s ambitious plans and showcase pilot projects being delivered in Melbourne and Sydney.

2.15pm – 2.30pm (15 minutes)
Break 

2.30pm – 3.30pm (60 minutes)
Session 2 / Preview: A New Normal Perth
A New Normal asked leading Western Australian architects to come up with pilot projects to be delivered locally. Each architect will make a short presentation pitching their idea, showing what’s possible as we transition our State towards a carbon-positive future.

Presenting ‘A New Normal Perth’ concepts will be:
With_Architecture Studio
Philip Stejskal Architecture
MDC Architects
MJA Studio
Officer Woods
spaceagency
Foolscap Studio
Whispering Smith  
Brunsdon Studio
Wowowa

3.30 – 3.45pm (15 minutes)
Break

3.45pm – 4.30pm
Session 3 / Making it Happen – Panel discussion
What has to happen for A New Normal to become reality? What are the barriers and levers? Ross Harding facilitates a conversation between key local decision-makers and stakeholders from within government and the private sector, with time for audience questions. This will be a lively conversation and we welcome audience members from all sectors to bring their thoughts, questions and opinions! Panel members: State Government Architect Emma Williamson, Sirona Urban founder and managing director Matthew McNeilly, City of Vincent CEO David MacLennan, and Committee for Perth CEO Paula Rogers.

Equal parts troublemaker, technical mind and artist, Ross Harding is one of the most enthusiastic, optimistic and cheeky engineers you’ve ever met.

A rare combination of dreamer and schemer, he thinks big picture about transforming cities around the world to become completely self-sufficient, and works tirelessly with his team at Finding Infinity to make it happen.

Finding Infinity – short for finding a future based on infinite resources – is a creative and technical environmental consultancy. Its team of unique characters based in Melbourne consists of architects, engineers, artists, urban agriculture specialists and more.

Operating across a range of scales from city-wide master planning to precincts, building design, and even temporary events, Finding Infinity is doing its best to turn dreams into reality.

Harding is best known for ‘A New Normal’: a $100 billion strategy to transform Melbourne into a self-sufficient city together with 15 architecture firms. Conceptualised and initiated in his living room in Fitzroy, A New Normal now has over $200 million worth of live projects spread across Melbourne and has also launched in Sydney.

Sirona Urban is a major partner of Fremantle Design Week and the presenting partner of the Designing Cities Symposium for the second time.

Based in Western Australia, Sirona Urban is a property business focused on urban renewal, retail repositioning, and residential development. Since its founding in 2010, Sirona has grown to become one of WA’s leading real estate developers.

Sirona has left its mark on some of the state’s most iconic projects, including major mixed-use developments incorporating residential, retail, commercial office spaces, and hotels. The company has also been an influential change-maker in the urban renewal of Fremantle, it’s multi award-winning project, Walyalup Koort, bringing to life a new metropolitan vision for Perth’s historic port city. Building on these successes, Sirona is well-positioned to continue delivering an exciting mix of built form projects across Western Australia.

Sirona’s enviable track record is founded on a unique combination of project ideation, exceptional delivery, and large-scale construction. Each project is informed by decades of experience in major Australian and international markets. This expertise allows Sirona to develop even the most complex projects, earning a reputation as specialists in visionary, one-of-a-kind developments.

The Warders Hotel is generously hosting Ross Harding in Fremantle.

The Warders Hotel is is a small boutique hotel nestled within the historic limestone cottages that once housed Fremantle’s Warders. Built in 1851, these cottages are a significant part of Fremantle’s rich cultural and historic heritage, having served as accommodation for the warders of the nearby Fremantle Prison.

Carefully restored to preserve their historic charm, the cottages now offer a serene retreat in the vibrant heart of Fremantle. Each room is a refined sanctuary, blending original timbers and stonework with modern luxury finishes. Thoughtfully sourced furniture, art, and textiles create a calm and inspiring space.

Event supported by: